An omission from the train-on group is former Kiwi captain and halfback Benji Marshall, whose NRL season ended when he left the field with an ankle injury during St George Illawarra’s finals loss to the Bulldogs.

Regardless of his fitness, the Kiwi selectors will take the opportunity to develop depth in the halves, with a view to the future.

Train-on camps will begin next week in Auckland and Sydney, with the 23-strong touring side to be announced soon after the NRL grand final on October 4.